The city of Podgorica in Montenegro hosted the celebrations of the World Karate Day in the European country on Friday. The event took place at the Delta City shopping mall in the Montenegrin capital and showcased the support that Karate receives in the region. 

The city of Podgorica hosted the celebrations of the World Karate Day in Montenegro on Friday. The event took place at the Delta City shopping mall in the Montenegrin capital and showcased the support that Karate receives in the region. 

Young karatekas staged Kata and Kumite performances much to the delight of the passers-by in the crowded shopping mall. Some of the top karatekas in the country such as Marina Rakovic, Mario Hodzic, Jelena Maksimovic, Dragana Konjevic and Ana Draskovic also participated in the celebration. 

In addition to the young participants, the event was attended by the top Karate authorities of the country and by the President of the Montenegrin Olympic Committee, Dusan Simonovic. 

“The Montenegro Olympic Committee is the first to support Karate as an Olympic sport. This is what we are doing today, pledging so that karate becomes a permanent fixture of the Games. It would be great for Montenegrin sport, as we have great athletes and a long tradition.” Simonovic said. “I'm counting on Karate; we do not have a lot of athletes who can win a medal. And you can count on us, we will always support you,” he added.

“For many karatekas the dream is to reach the Olympic Games. As a small country we have a great opportunity to have representatives and medalists at the Games in Tokyo” said the  President of the Karate Federation of Montenegro Vladimir Jokovic.